PWNA – Our Strengths

PWNA works through a distribution network and hundreds of Tribal partners to improve the lives of up to 200,000 Native Americans each year. PWNA also connects outside resources directly to the reservations.  >>View our Service Area<<

Our services benefit the majority of the reservations in South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Washington, Nebraska, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. We also have a few partners in southern Colorado and southwestern California where our services fit the needs. We also serve Native American students from the 50 states with our scholarships service.

Respecting the familiarity of Program Partners with the needs and people in their communities is key. PWNA cares about quality of life for Native Americans and respects their self-determined goals for their tribes, honoring the reservation programs and initiatives underway.

PWNA assists Native American communities with material aid, education services, professional and personal development, and community investment projects. Regardless of a partner’s focus — short-term or long-term — each PWNA service incorporates a capacity building component to ensure our partners gain in skills that carry over to other reservation projects.

Many charities simply deliver goods to a location and leave, or "dump and run." When charities do not work repeatedly in the same communities, they may not know the adverse impact this can have. We feel this form of service is irresponsible and may create more harm than good for the community.

By delivering only requested goods, we ensure the food is eaten, the shoes are worn, and the clothing fits. This is good stewardship. It encourages trust and future participation by Program Partners and the people they serve.

We provide food to soup kitchens, supply cleaning and hygiene items, supply baby baskets to new moms in need, give school supplies and holiday gifts to children, and much more. PWNA offers steady, solid service to remote and isolated Native American reservations 52 weeks a year.

Our staff, board members and volunteers are passionate about supporting our Native American partners and their community-led initiatives to achieve a better quality of life.